The Houston Rockets didn’t just beat the Phoenix Suns on Monday night — they dismantled them. A 114-92 rout at the Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 24, 2025, wasn’t just another win. It was a statement. Led by Amen Thompson’s explosive 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, the Rockets extended their winning streak against the Suns to five straight games — a streak that’s becoming less of a coincidence and more of a pattern.
The Breakdown: Houston’s Execution vs. Phoenix’s Collapse
The Rockets didn’t need late heroics. They built their lead early and never let go. After a 30-23 first quarter, they stretched it to 59-50 at halftime, thanks in large part to Aaron Holiday, who dropped 12 of his 22 points before the break. By the fourth quarter, the Suns were running on fumes. They scored just 17 points in the final 12 minutes — their lowest output in any quarter this season. Meanwhile, Houston poured in 30, closing the game like a team that knew exactly how to finish.
Turnovers killed Phoenix. Twenty of them. And each one turned into a fast break, a transition three, or a layup in traffic. Houston turned those mistakes into 26 points. The Suns shot 41.3% from the field — not terrible, but not enough when you’re giving up easy buckets every time you lose control of the ball. Dillon Brooks, who led all scorers with 29 points, looked like the only Suns player trying to carry the load. But even his effort couldn’t offset the collective fatigue.
No Durant? No Problem for Houston
Here’s the twist: This was the first game the Rockets played without Kevin Durant since the offseason trade that sent him — along with Jalen Green and the No. 10 pick — to Phoenix in a seven-team deal. The irony wasn’t lost on fans. Durant, who averaged 24.6 points per game for the Rockets last season, now wears purple and gold. And yet, Houston hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, they’ve gotten better. The offense flows through Thompson now — a 21-year-old with the poise of a veteran and the explosiveness of a rising star. He’s not just scoring; he’s orchestrating. His chemistry with Jabari Smith Jr. and Holiday has turned Houston’s bench into a weapon.
“We didn’t win because of one guy,” said Rockets head coach Ike Udoka. “We won because we moved the ball, played together, and didn’t force anything. Last game, we were trying to do too much. Tonight, we trusted the system.”
Phoenix’s Struggles Run Deeper Than One Game
The Suns weren’t just tired — they were out of sync. Playing their second game in as many nights after a 111-102 win over the Spurs, they looked drained. Their starting center, Mark Williams, sat out again — a pattern. He hasn’t played back-to-back games this season. And with Frederick VanVleet out for the season with a torn ACL, Phoenix’s backcourt depth is thin. Jordan Goodwin, who started in place of injured Ryan Dunn, gave energy but not enough production. Devin Booker managed 18 points but looked frustrated. Collin Gillespie added 16, but the team lacked a consistent second option.
And then there’s the Durant factor. Before the trade, Suns fans hoped he’d be the missing piece. But since joining Phoenix, Durant hasn’t led them to a single playoff win — and now, he’s watching from the sidelines as his former team dominates his new one. “The Suns did not win a playoff game in Durant’s full seasons there,” noted Field Level Media in a pre-game analysis. The line stings. And it’s starting to feel like the trade didn’t fix anything — it just moved the problem.
What’s Next? Rockets on the Rise, Suns in Transition
Houston improves to 11-4 overall and 6-2 on the road. They’ve won five straight. And they’re not done. Next up: a Wednesday night showdown against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. The Warriors, who lost to the Lakers on Sunday, are struggling with defense — a problem Houston’s pace and ball movement could exploit.
Meanwhile, the Suns fall to 11-7. Their three-game win streak is gone. And their identity? Still unclear. They’ve got talent — Brooks, Booker, Gillespie — but no cohesion. No rhythm. No leadership beyond the scoring. Coach Frank Vogel has to ask himself: Is this a bad night, or a sign of deeper issues?
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story
- Amen Thompson: 28 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds — his fifth 25-point game of the season.
- Aaron Holiday: 22 points, 6-of-10 from three — the most efficient bench scorer in the NBA this month.
- Phoenix turnovers: 20 — their highest since October 25, and the most allowed by Houston all season.
- Fourth-quarter scoring: Houston 30, Phoenix 17 — the biggest differential in any quarter this season.
- Winning streak: Five straight over Phoenix — the longest active streak between any two Western Conference rivals.
Clint Capela and Steven Adams didn’t light up the box score, but their presence inside disrupted Phoenix’s rhythm. YouTube highlights show Thompson finding Shenon for open threes, and Smith coasting end-to-end for thunderous dunks. This isn’t just a team playing well — it’s a team playing with purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Amen Thompson’s performance changed since Kevin Durant’s departure?
Since Durant’s trade, Amen Thompson has evolved from a promising rookie into the Rockets’ primary playmaker. His scoring has increased from 14.1 to 17.2 points per game, but more importantly, his assist rate has jumped 38%, and his usage rate is now among the top 20 in the league for guards under 22. He’s no longer just a finisher — he’s the engine.
Why is Phoenix struggling so badly despite having stars like Booker and Brooks?
Phoenix’s offense is too reliant on isolation plays. Booker and Brooks are elite scorers, but they’re not playmakers. With VanVleet gone and no consistent secondary creator, the Suns stall when defenses key on their stars. Their ball movement ranks 24th in the NBA — a major red flag for a team with championship aspirations.
What does this loss mean for the Suns’ playoff chances?
At 11-7, Phoenix is still in the Western Conference top six, but they’re now tied with the Warriors and Trail Blazers. With 12 of their next 17 games on the road and no consistent defensive identity, they risk falling out of the top four. Losing to Houston — a team they’re supposed to beat — is a warning sign.
Is Houston’s five-game winning streak over Phoenix a sign of a new rivalry dynamic?
Absolutely. For years, Phoenix dominated this matchup, especially with Durant leading the charge. Now, Houston’s young core — Thompson, Smith, Holiday — has flipped the script. The Rockets have won five straight by an average of 18.4 points. This isn’t luck. It’s a generational shift in power.
How has the trade involving Kevin Durant affected both teams differently than expected?
The trade was supposed to make Phoenix a contender and Houston a rebuilding team. Instead, Houston’s youth has thrived without Durant’s isolation-heavy style, while Phoenix’s offense has become more stagnant. Durant hasn’t elevated the Suns — and Houston’s new identity has made them a true Western Conference threat.
What’s the biggest weakness the Suns need to fix before Wednesday’s game against Sacramento?
Transition defense. The Rockets scored 32 fast-break points — nearly half their total. Phoenix allowed 14 points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter alone on turnovers and missed rebounds. If they don’t close out on drives and protect the paint, Sacramento’s fast-paced offense will expose them even worse.